1. Woody Biomass Harvesting & Utilization in Minnesota Don Arnosti Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy May 9, 2007

2. Program Outline Background Harvesting Guidelines Superior National Forest Study Discussion

3. Background Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy –International NGO founded in 1986 –Promotes resilient family farms, rural communities and ecosystems around the world through research and education, science and technology, and advocacy.

4. Harvesting Guidelines DNR Ecological Services, Fish and Wildlife and Forestry and the Minnesota Forest Resources Council are developing standards for sustainable harvest of woody biomass IATP was instrumental in passing 2005 legislation requiring and funding the development of standards

5. Harvesting Guidelines Focus on practices that conserve –Soil productivity –Water quality –Wildlife habitat

6. Harvesting Guidelines Guidelines for forest and brushland will be finalized by July 1, 2007. Contact MFRC at (651) 603-0109 or see www.frc.state.mn.uswww.frc.state.mn.us

7. Superior National Forest Study Woody Biomass Utilization Grants –Program of USDA Forest Service –Aim is to create markets for small-diameter and low-grade material from fuel reduction activities

9. Superior National Forest Study Partners & Collaborators –IATP –U.S. Forest Service –Laurentian Energy Authority –Forest Management Systems –University of Minnesota –University of Wisconsin, Steven’s Point

10. Superior National Forest Study www.uwsp.edu

11. Superior National Forest Study Project Objectives: address barriers hindering removal of woody biomass from the Superior National Forest –Barrier 1: Logger unfamiliarity with equipment, operating conditions, productivity and cost –Barrier 2: Lack of information for establishing Best Management Practices for biomass removal

12. Superior National Forest Study www.iatp.org

13. Superior National Forest Study Project Outcomes: –Job Creation –Ecological Improvement –Fuel Reduction –Ecosystem Goals –Established standards for sustainable biomass removal

14. Superior National Forest Study www.iatp.org

15. Superior National Forest Study Methods: –9 test biomass harvests –High-priority fuel reduction areas –Low potential for commercial timber harvest –Varied equipment and techniques used –Pre- and post-harvest ecological and silvicultural data collection

16. Superior National Forest Study www.iatp.org

17. Superior National Forest Study Report released in mid-2007 –Economic evaluation –Ecological impact –Experiences with equipment –Analysis of administrative barriers For information call (612) 870-3407 or see www.forestrycenter.orgwww.forestrycenter.org

18. Thank You!